Arky Smith, husband of my sister Marilyn, passed away at noon today. It was peaceful. Here he is with Debbie's daughter Megan and her daughter Maddie, who were visiting from Minnesota.
Most of Marilyn's family are gathering at her home this week, coming from Montana, Utah, Texas and Minnesota. They will have a graveside service on Saturday.
Fortunately most of the family had visited Arky this summer. He has had lymphoma for almost five years and had become quite anemic, having to have many blood transfusions this summer.
This past week Debbie was visiting and he requested a catfish dinner. She bought it and he told her how to cook and they said he really ate a lot, really enjoyed it.
I remember when Marilyn and Arky visited us in San Diego and for our dinner out he wanted catfish so we found a place and took him there. It was a western place with Line Dancing and lots of fun. They also served hush puppies with the catfish, quite good as I recall. Arky loved his catfish.
I will be going out to Colorado after Tanner's wedding and spend time with Marilyn.
Marilyn and Arky married Nov 24, 1954. It would have been 61 years this year!
Charles Meredith Smith
Charles “Arky” Smith, age 88, died peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at his home of 40 years in Golden, Colorado. Born May 8, 1927 he was the only child of Ina and Charlie Smith of Magnolia, Arkansas. In school, he excelled in sports and worked summers in the oilfields near Magnolia. He attended University of Tulsa on a football scholarship and excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He played football in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day in 1945. TU was where he earned the nickname “Arky”, which he went by throughout his life. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education. He left school for one year to serve in the Army as a Security Agent in Washington D.C. Arky graduated from University of Tulsa in 1948, went to work in the oil fields for a year, and then went back to school for two more years to play baseball.
Arky met and married Marilyn Anderson in 1954 in Glendive, Montana where he was working for Baroid Drilling Co. Their three daughters were born in Montana before they moved to Monahans, Texas where their two sons were born. In 1967, the family moved to Midland, Texas, where Arky enjoyed coaching little league, golfing, hunting, and caring for his yard. 1975 took him to Beirut, Lebanon for a job transfer, but due to the civil unrest there, he chose not to move the family and came home after six months.
Arky was an avid golfer for over 60 years, winning countless tournament trophies, leading groups at his local clubs, and had two hole-in-ones. He didn’t quit golfing until he couldn’t see the ball in the air anymore, but even then was still only 2 over par. Later in retirement, he worked as a ranger at Foothills Golf Course in Denver. In retirement he also enjoyed keeping his yard in tip top shape and collecting apples from the tree in his backyard for baking apple pies. He loved being outside and spending time with family. His home was always open to family get-togethers and frequent visits from his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was kind and generous, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by daughters, Laurie Twenhofel of Lakewood, CO and Sherry Smith of Austin, TX.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn Smith, his children: Deborah(Tom) Brusehaver of Eden Prarie, MN, Robert Smith of Orem, UT, Randall Smith of Townsend, MT. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
